27Speaks

As the holiday season approaches, there is an opportunity to take a moment to appreciate — and to support, financially — the many nonprofit organizations that enrich the cultural life of the South Fork, and provide a "Helping Hand" to so many families in need. This special Express Sessions event had multiple purposes: to shine a spotlight on the often underappreciated work of so many local charities and volunteers, to talk about the challenges they face in a difficult economy and a post-COVID world, and to provide an ongoing resource at 27east.com that catalogs the many organizations and shares information about how to support them financially or by volunteering, during the holiday season and all year long. The panel included: Molly Bishop, Executive Director, Heart of the Hamptons; Kasia Klimiuk, Co-Director, Our Fabulous Variety Show; Bonnie Cannon, Executive Director, Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center; Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, Executive Director, Eastville Community Historical Society; Andrea Grover, Executive Director, Guild Hall; Susie Roden, President, Coalition for Women's Cancers; and Christina Strassfield, Executive Director, Southampton Arts Center.

The East Hampton/Pierson/Bridgehampton football team made the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. For a program that more or less didn't exist just seven years ago, it was a huge accomplishment. Gavin Menu, co-publisher of The Express News Group, and sports editor Drew Budd join the editors on the podcast this week to discuss the future of high school football and what surrounding districts struggling in the sport can do to revive their football programs similarly to the Bonackers.

Southampton Town Councilman and State Assemblyman-elect Tommy John Schiavoni joins the editors to discuss the state and local challenges that he will confront — including affordable housing and transportation — when he heads to Albany in January to assume the Assembly seat held for three decades by Fred W. Thiele Jr.

After a woman was found dead last week at a high-end spa and wellness resort in Water Mill — an apparent "victim of violence," according to police — the suspect fled to Pennsylvania and took his own life. On this week's 27Speaks, reporter Michael Wright joins the editors to discuss how the police investigation unfolded, how it was reported by journalists and the sensitive nature of reporting on homicides.

Since the recreational use of marijuana was legalized in March 2021, the rollout of the new industry has been erratic. Today, the state is still struggling with creating a legal network of private shops — though Native American tribes, including the Shinnecock, have successfully operated on their own. The Town of Riverhead is expecting a pair of cannabis shops to open in the months ahead, and plans for multiple locations in Southampton Town are underway. What will the final structure of a legal system of cannabis cultivation and sale in New York State look like? And, in particular, how will all of this affect Southampton Town in 2025 and beyond?

The Express Sessions hosted a panel on October 24 at Union Burger Bar in Southampton Village with David Falkowski, founding president, Open Minded Organics; Greg Konner, general manager, Konner Development Corp.; Maria Moore, Southampton Town supervisor; Gahrey Ovalle, president, Long Island Cannabis Coalition; and Fred W. Thiele Jr., New York State assemblyman. In this episode of The Sessions Report, Co-Publisher Gavin Menu, Executive Editor Joseph P. Shaw and Managing Editor Bill Sutton play highlights from the discussion and offer further context.

After months of rumor and speculation, Gosman’s Dock has been sold. What began as a modest chowder house on Montauk Harbor more than 80 years ago has since grown to become a celebrated family-run enterprise with a complex of restaurants, shops and a wholesale and retail seafood business. The sale of the company, Bob Gosman Co. Inc., is expected to be finalized by year’s end. This week, the editors are joined by reporter Christopher Walsh, who wrote about the sale of the property.

As we face ever more severe weather, Long Island is a frontline region in navigating climate change. Flood insurance, agriculture, and more are all at stake. What can Congress do to help Suffolk County move forward sustainably in this new world?

Hear 1st District Republican Congressman Nick LaLota and Democratic congressional candidate John Avlon share their views on the issue in their own words, recorded in two separate panel interviews September 2024 at WLIW-FM studios in Southampton.

These recordings have been lightly edited without changing the content of the candidates' statements during the panel interviews. Editing of the candidates has occurred only where a music bed is heard, as well as minor editing of the moderators.1st District Matters is part of Your Election 2024, a special collection of programs, series, and resources from The WNET Group to illuminate election issues on-air, online, and on YouTube leading into the November 5th elections.A production of Express News Group and WLIW-FM.

For WLIW-FM: Moderator: Michael Mackey; Executive Producer: Diane Masciale; Producer: Delaney Hafener; Production: Kyle Lynch; Senior Engineer: Brian Bannon; Legal Services: Marta Castaing.

For The Express News Group: Executive Producer and Moderator: Joseph P. Shaw, Executive Editor; Managing Editor: Bill Sutton; Deputy Managing Editor: Brendan J. O'Reilly; Moderator and Staff Writer: Christopher Walsh; Production Managers: Kerri Cunningham, Sara Mannino Kent; Publishers: Gavin Menu, Kathryn G. Menu.

Copyright 2024

The Kmart in the Bridgehampton Commons, the last full-size Kmart store in the continental United States, closed its doors for good on Sunday. But as the South Fork says goodbye to blue light specials, it appears that another big box store, Target, is preparing to take over the 90,000-square-foot retail space. On this week's podcast, the editors discuss the fate of the Bridgehampton Kmart, the reasons it went bust, and the possibilities for the space's future.

Is the health care system on Long Island broken? What can the federal government do to make sure that Suffolk County residents have health care infrastructure that will keep them safe and healthy? What does having a “public option” really mean?

Hear 1st District Republican Congressman Nick LaLota and Democratic congressional candidate John Avlon share their views on the issue in their own words, recorded in two separate panel interviews September 2024 at WLIW-FM studios in Southampton.

These recordings have been lightly edited without changing the content of the candidates’ statements during the panel interviews. Editing of the candidates has occurred only where a music bed is heard, as well as minor editing of the moderators.

1st District Matters is part of Your Election 2024, a special collection of programs, series, and resources from The WNET Group to illuminate election issues on-air, online, and on YouTube leading into the November 5th elections.

A production of Express News Group and WLIW-FM.

There are numerous passionate residents offering input, though the conversations are splintered and many voices are competing. A major proposal by the Shinnecock Nation for a gas station off Sunrise Highway — and, in the longer term, development on the bluff at Westwoods — has sparked concern among Hampton Bays residents. But there are other pressures: a developer has amassed parcels and has a vision for redevelopment. This Express Sessions forum brings together many of the players in one room to search for common ground and try to identify successful strategies for moving forward on the issues affecting Hampton Bays.

THE PANEL:

Marion Boden, Hampton Bays resident;

Ray D'Angelo, President, Hampton Bays Civic Association;

John Leonard, Founder, Hampton Bays Alliance;

Gayle Lombardi, Director, Hampton Bays Civic Association;

Cyndi McNamara, Southampton Town Councilwoman.